We could see Liverpool transfers for two defenders before long. We’re not sure the Reds will want to stop at one after Virgil van Dijk’s injury.
It certainly appears that Liverpool will be looking to sign a defender before long. The injury to Virgil van Dijk leaves them with just two centre-halves, after all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8tL1LICqnE
Reports link them with a few options, all of which sound good to us. But looking at the situation as it is, we think Liverpool could look at transfers for two defenders, not just one. It would be a true overhaul of the defence.
The options
There seem to be two clear and very good options for Liverpool, both from the Bundesliga. The first is Ozan Kabak of Schalke 04. The Mirror claims that the Reds have opened discussions for the 20-year-old, hoping to do a deal for around £20m.
The second is Dayot Upamecano, also a young defender from the Bundesliga. SportBild claims he’s available for around £36m at the end of the season and that Liverpool want him. We think they could accelerate that process, however, for January.
The reasons
So why could Liverpool sign both? Because Joel Matip no longer offers a reliable option and if two young defenders are available, Liverpool may not want to miss the chance to get both.
Matip has struggled badly for fitness over the past year. He’s only started twice since the ‘restart’, for instance, and just never appears to be fit. It means that while Liverpool should have three senior centre-halves, they only actually have one right now – Joe Gomez.
That isn’t a good situation, especially as both Matip and Van Dijk turn 30 in under a year. Liverpool need to invest in the future as well as the present and two quality young players would help them do just that.
So we’re not sure one defender is enough. Now, Liverpool might not sign both in January but if Matip hasn’t proven his reliability by the end of the season, we think the Reds could move for both.
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